Increased air pollution in the last days of the year

On the afternoon of January 8, at the regular Government press conference in December 2025, the press raised questions about the air pollution situation in our country, especially in some big cities, which is still very serious.

Responding to this content, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said that the recent developments in air quality in big cities, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have a very high level of pollution.

PM2.5 fine dust pollution continues to be a key issue that needs to be addressed, focusing on Hanoi and the key economic region of the North.

In particular, in the first 9 months of 2025, basic air quality will remain average/good. From October to December 2025, pollution will increase sharply according to the law. The peak on December 12, 2025 had an average daily AQI of 264.

Through monitoring, the pollution laws during the day change, in addition to concentrating at night and early morning (the time when the temperature difference occurs most strongly), air pollution is also high during peak hours such as 9-11am and 3-5pm (hour of high traffic and production activities).

There are 2 reasons: The objective reason is the weather pattern (in late November and early December), which is more unfavorable than the average of many years ( fog, prolonged temperature difference).

The subjective causes are emissions from traffic activities and increased traffic density at the end of the year; construction works, road expansion, and sidewalk paving at the end of the year are not covered; garbage/spontaneous products are burned; waste from craft villages and industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposes two immediate solutions.

First, establish a monitoring mechanism and send weekly reports. Every Friday before 11am, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will compile data from localities, assess progress and report to the Prime Minister. Currently, the 10th week report on these contents has been built.

Second, strengthen the monitoring network to have a basis for handling.

In the long term, it is proposed to implement emergency measures to control waste sources. The Ministry has issued 2 documents to the People's Committees of provinces/cities, requesting the immediate activation of emergency measures such as: Increasing road washing; controlling 100% of construction works and strictly prohibiting open burning. Review activities, encourage capacity cuts during peak days.

In the 2026-2030 period, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said that he will focus on 4 groups of solutions:

The first group, completes policy mechanisms and organizes implementation: Developing a plan of the Ministry to implement a national action plan on pollution treatment and air quality management for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2045 (Decision No. 2530/QD-TTg dated November 19, 2025), concretizing 9 groups of solutions in the spirit of "6 clear".

Implement the activities and tasks of the National Steering Committee on overcoming air pollution after being approved and approved by the Prime Minister.

Research and implement amendments to regulations on air environment protection in the Law on Environmental Protection.

Complete the draft, submit to competent authorities to issue a roadmap and national technical regulations on emissions for motorbikes and mopeds participating in traffic.

The second group on infrastructure investment and application of science and technology to solve general environmental pollution as well as air pollution is being planned by the Ministry for implementation.

The third group on controlling waste sources (discharge sources from cars, motorbikes, etc.).

The fourth group is on local support, communication and international cooperation.

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